Digging Dirk Nowitzki’s illustrious career with the Mavericks

Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki (41) shoots against San Antonio Spurs center Tiago Splitter during the first half an NBA basketball game on April 10 in Dallas. (Courtesy of AP)

As the playoffs loom closer for the Dallas Mavericks, the buzz around town should remain on the team’s remaining three opponents, including the two teams competing for the final seed in the West.

The 2013-14 Mavericks will not win any title this season if we’re being honest with ourselves. What will remain in history is the greatness that is Dirk Nowitzki.

The 7-foot German passed the great Oscar Robertson for 10th all-time during Tuesday night’s win against the Utah Jazz.

Nowitzki finished with 21 points to put his total at 26,714. In the midst of this unbelievable run, Nowitzki has passed some of the greatest names to have ever put on a professional jersey, including Reggie Miller, Larry Bird, and the NBA logo himself, Jerry West.

Assuming he keeps up a relatively high level of play for the next two seasons, Nowitzki might retire within reach of the top five all-time, something Nowitzki will definitely never admit he thought he could do when he was first drafted back in 1998.

It’s sometimes difficult to put into words how incredible a player truly is while he’s still playing. Despite going to the All-Star game 12 times, despite being the NBA’s Most Valuable Player in 2007, and despite taking this once sorry franchise to the Finals twice, Nowitzki’s work is still being written.

He’s been a treat to watch for the better part of two decades, and will be one of the easiest first-ballot selections in the NBA Hall of Fame’s history.

Until that day however, let’s soak in a little more of Nowitzki’s magic, as he helps the Mavericks get back into the playoffs.